Lou Paduano | Urban Fantasy Novels | Sci-Fi Crime Series

February Deals and Steals

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Welcome back! This week, I’m talking about some great deals going on right now in the book market. Each and every author involved deserves some love and they are bringing their A-game to win you over. Below are some serious book deals, including dozens of free books, for your reading pleasure!

February Book Deals

Over at StoryOrigin, there is a huge deal on fantasy books going on this month. Over sixty titles, including a number of box sets are deeply discounted for you to add to your reading list.

You can also find Signs of Portents in the mix here. The first novel in the Greystone series is only $0.99 this month. Be sure to give it a read!

For those looking to try a new author without the expense, head over to Bookfunnel for two great promotions running this month on FREE BOOKS.

First up is the Free Science Fiction & Fantasy Reads deal. There are almost one hundred books up for grabs, including some top tier urban fantasy and sci-fi novels. Now is the time to fill up those e-readers!

If you’re on the hunt for mystery, be sure to head over to a brand new promotion starting today and running through March 15th! Dozens of thrillers are available for you to enjoy.

Enjoy the books. Share the promos.

I love taking part in these promos. There are so many talented writers on the market now. While it can be a little overwhelming, there is nothing better than seeing the incredible books being produced.

Be sure to check them out, and if you can share these deals on social media so others can take advantage of the deep discounts being offered as well.

Greystone-in-Training Sale

To celebrate getting back to business, I’ve lowered the price on all three Greystone-in-Training books this month to $0.99! Grab them up while this deal is going on.

Check out the links below.

Happy Reading!

2023 Release Schedule

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Two, count them TWO, blogs in one week! I really wanted to hit the ground running this year, and to prove my commitment to you, my glorious readers, I’m here to announce two big release dates for DSA Season Two later this year. Scroll down for this year’s release schedule.

Catch up with Season One now!

DSA Season Two Begins

Broken Loyalties shattered the DSA. I won’t go too deep into the plot, but things are pretty dire where we left them with the team.

The Wellspring hits the ground running and finally brings to light some of the mysteries that carried through the inaugural season of the series.

2023 release scheduleBen Riley lies near death.

Having done all she can to save her partner’s life, Morgan Dunleavy faces an even greater emergency: Greg Sullivan has captured the Wellspring.

In a desperate gambit to free the enigmatic figure, who may be the key component behind humanity’s scientific and technological advancement over the centuries, Morgan must infiltrate the enemy stronghold alone.

Even if she saves the mysterious woman, Morgan still must deal with the treason charges leveled against not only herself, but the entire DSA.

Susan Metcalf, however, has a plan to save them all that will change the DSA forever…

 

The Wellspring arrives on September 13, 2023!

DSA continues with Foundations

The second book of the season brings in some of my favorite elements of sci-fi adventure. There is time travel. There is government conspiracy. And the DSA is at the heart of everything.

I can’t go too deep into the details on the plot without spoiling some of the elements introduced in The Wellspring, but Foundations was a true labor of love and answers one of the biggest mysteries of the series to date.

What I can tell you is: Foundations will be on sale December 6, 2023!

DSA Season Two carries through to 2024

I’m incredibly excited to bring these new books to you this year. The arc told in Season Two is one of my absolute favorites and I can’t wait for you to see where the story is headed. I took every opportunity to push the story further and give you more with each “episode.”

Answers are coming. But greater mysteries await.

Release Schedule

Now you may have noticed the installments won’t be coming at you lightning-quick as they did with Season One. That is by design. While I would love to get you a book every month of the year, I’m a realist (and a tired dad). Count on quarterly releases from now on, and that carries over to Greystone and everything else that will coming up in the future.

Four solid releases per year, with the occasional bonus of a box set or two thrown in for good measure, is what my plan is at the moment. There will be plenty more surprises along the way, but I hope this helps illustrate my rededication to the job and to bringing you the best books I can.

Back in the Saddle Again

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Welcome back! It’s been a bit, hasn’t it?

When I stepped away from the blog back in August 2021, I had no idea it would take this long to get my ass back in gear. Regardless of the state of the world or the insanity within this very house, the delay was on me, and me alone.

But I’m back. Right here, right now, this is the new beginning for this site and for all the new books that will be coming your way in the future.

So what happened?

Between teaching my kids and then welcoming a third to the mix, I realized I was burning out on all ends. Work was becoming strained, jammed in between lessons and naps and bedtimes without a clear thought left in my brain from all the different priorities raging through the house.

So I took the blog off the table. I stopped my monthly newsletter. I walked away from the business of being an author to keep the focus on creating content to eventually pass along to you.

That’s what I’ve been doing between poopy diapers and softball games and, what was that other thing again? Oh yeah, sleep.

Stockpiling content

When I started back in 2016–ah, the glory days–I made a promise that I would always stay ahead of schedule. There would be no crunch time, no stress in getting out a quality product for you to enjoy.

DSA Season One pretty much killed that plan. The rapid release, while exciting and a great method of delivery for the avid reader, left me drained and straining to get out another book in a timely manner. Greystone-in-Training, while some of my favorite books in the end were a struggle to finish in the aftermath of the DSA’s rapid release strategy.

I never want to put out a rushed book. Worse, a bad one. Every book needs to meet my own strict standards first and foremost. I want to be able to enjoy them just as much as you.

So I took the time I needed to get back on track.

2022

I was aimless for a bit. I’ll gladly admit that. Having the schedule of the blog and the newsletter always put me at my desk for a specific task and without them there were days I just spun my wheels.

Doesn’t mean I wasn’t busy!

In the last fourteen months I have outlined over a dozen new projects, scripted ten more, and drafted half of them. (Not tooting my own horn. Just don’t want you to think I’ve been binging on shows the entire time… I miss television…)

But I had no plan still. And it showed, because in April of last year I tried to restart the newsletter and couldn’t keep it up. I had no idea what I was promoting, and without a new book in the pipeline for release I didn’t see the point in stringing along my readers.

That failure marked a turning point for me. I spent weeks developing a plan for the future. I gave myself the time I needed to make it a reality and here we are.

DSA Season Two

That become the heart of the plan. DSA was always meant to come out at a regular pace to keep readers interested in the ongoing mystery of the series.

A three year gap was not ideal, to say the least.

I took that need, that drive, and dedicated myself to completing the long-gestating second season. All six books are set and ready for release. I’m using them to give me the lead time to bring more content your way in a timely manner. They set the schedule for the next two years, and by doing that, I am back to being ahead of schedule.

What’s to come this year?

First and foremost, the blog is back…FOR GOOD. Some weeks there will be two installments like it was in the beginning. I have author commentaries lined up for DSA Season One to help build excitement for the new season as well as some other cool deals to share in the coming weeks.

The newsletter starts up next week.

The DSA returns this fall. That’s right, two new books are coming your way later this year with the rest of the season planned for next year. You’ll find out more about them on Thursday.

Final thoughts

Walking away was the right move at the time. My family needed me, and they are my light and my joy. But every month it continued it became that much easier to stay away, and getting back to work became that much harder.

This won’t be the easiest endeavor. It never has been, and to think otherwise is ludicrous. I have three kids, two cats, and an aging family. There are going to be mistakes made, deadlines missed, and opportunities lost because of the other priorities vying for my time.

But you are a priority for me. Your readership means the world to me and I hope you’ll come back and enjoy the projects coming your way this year. They have been an absolute dream to build. Sharing them with you is one of the biggest pleasures I get in this world.

So, welcome back. Thank you for sticking with me.

Happy Reading!

New Path Forward

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This has been coming for the last few months. I am constantly trying to find a new path forward with my work–to bring you a constant stream of content that you will find enjoyable and entertaining.

It has never been easy. It’s not going to get any easier, not for a bit.

For the last two months, I’ve been trying to come up with a way to keep the blog going while writing new books while building my readership while raising two kiddos while taking care of my very-pregnant wife. The truth of the matter is, I can’t win at all of them. (Most days it doesn’t feel like I can win at ANY of them.)

I had to pick my battles.

This will be the last blog for a bit. When it came down to it, there was no way to not feel like I’m letting someone down. Building my readership, while important to my survival in the business, means nothing if I’m not writing.

That’s where all my energy is going for the time being. By that, I mean in the dead of night between the wails of a screaming infant. Like the good old days of when I started this crazy journey…

So what is going on with DSA and Greystone?

Season Two of DSA is drafted. It’s ready to be torn apart and rebuilt into a stronger narrative that you will love. I think they are some of my favorite books yet.

Greystone is completely outlined. Books 6 through 10 are set with how they will be structured and what happens in the books. I think the series closes out strong. Loren and Soriya (wait, she’s dead, isn’t she?) go through some crazy stuff in these last five books. All kinds of things going on. The origin of the Greystone is revealed. Monster shenanigans. The works. Promise.

I want you to have these books. I want to send them to you right now. Unfortunately, I can’t.

The truth is, I was chasing deadlines for years while trying to raise my first two girls. I spent every waking minute pulled in two very different directions. It made for some frustration at times. There was also the occasional breakdown at the stress of it all.

When my wife and I decided on a third, the new path forward was to get a year ahead of schedule. For a split-second I was on target.

Then the pandemic happened.

I became a teacher. I turned into tech support, janitor, and lunch lady all rolled into one. It was…not the most pleasant experience of my life. Writing slipped away for a bit. I outlined like mad (16 books you haven’t even heard about yet), but drafting was impossible. My year ahead of schedule turned to six months, which then dissipated to nothing.

With baby 3 entering the world last week (she’s wonderful, btw) I made a choice to no longer be a slave to the schedule. The books will be coming, but they will be coming when I’m well ahead of where I need to be.

It will make the books better. That’s what it comes down to in the end. Building better stories, driving stronger narratives into your hand, is all I’ve ever wanted to do. I hate the delay you’ve been forced to experience with DSA. Hate it.

It won’t be happening again. When I am back–really, really back–you will have plenty to read.

This is my new path forward. The baby wins, but the story continues. It just might be a bit before you see me again.

I have loved every last second of the last five years. Building stories. Creating worlds. All the emails from readers. The interactions at every convention. It’s all been incredible, and I can’t wait to get back to it.

Thank you for reading.

Writing Update – June 29th, 2021

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Phew. What a month. It’s hotter than blazes where I’m sitting right now, and according to the map it probably is where you’re reading this too. So let’s get this writing update show on the road!

Writing Update

The kids went back to school full time at the end of April. While they were deeply missed, the opportunity to write for the last seven weeks has been a godsend.

DSA Season Two is DRAFTED.

I went from only having the first book of the season drafted to all six in a space of three months. I cannot understate how wild it was putting these books together. Each one is stronger than the previous one, and the finale is a doozy to say the least.

They need editing. Some DESPERATELY need editing. That’s where I’m heading for a bit. I know where the weaknesses are, and now really is the best time to build a stronger narrative while planting plenty of seeds for a third season.

Here’s where we are with Season Two:

Book One: The Wellspring – This one closes out the cliffhanger finale from the first season, and gets the ball rolling on the next big epic.

Book Two: Foundations – This sets up the new dynamic, and has some fun time travel elements. Plus: secrets about the Witness come to light!

Book Three: The Missing – Picking up on the Emily Wright abduction subplot, Ben and Morgan follow a lead and wind up in the middle of a new disappearance case.

Book Four: Cracked Chrysalis – All those wondering what the heck happened to those trees in The Clearing? This is where you will find your answers.

Book Five: Secret Histories – The fallout of Susan Metcalf’s past comes to light here.

Book Six: ???????? – Sorry, gang. This one is top secret. All I will say is that things go boom, not everyone makes it out alive, and the team will never be the same again. No hype required, only the truth.

When can I read them?!

A valid question. I wish I had a decent answer. The fact of the matter is I don’t want another delay like this between seasons. I hate it. It bothers the hell out of me not to have a book ready for you to enjoy.

So I’m holding this season back until I’m absolutely sure the narrative can keep rolling along. Will that mean next year? Will that mean 2023? I honestly don’t know. I’m expecting a baby this August, so all schedules are dependent on her needs over my own.

Which brings us to more bad news…

I’m putting the blog on hold for the summer. (I know! Stop shouting at me!)

I need the time to work through some of these drafts, to wrap my head around that bundle of joy at the end of the summer.

When the blog comes back in September, I’ll be sharing commentary on DSA Season One. I have a lot to share about the process behind the series. It was not the easiest thing in the world to build. I hope you enjoy the look behind the curtain on the books, and the fun tidbits that were hidden beneath the surface.

Thank you for supporting my work. I will be back soon!

Trust Your Alpha Readers

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There comes a time when your book has to leave the nest. You’ve spent weeks, months, possibly years putting together your grand opus for all the world to see. So where do you start? Time to find some Alpha Readers!

Alpha readers are those closest to you. They are the trusted inner-circle of confidants, colleagues, family, and friends you hope will encourage your efforts, and enjoy the story you’ve decided to tell. That’s their number one job, though they tend to get caught up in the secondary task more than anything.

Critique the crap out of your work.

It’s necessary, of course. You want to know where the narrative falters. More than anything, you want the book to shine and trusting your alpha readers is a big step toward that goal.

Trust your Alpha Readers

Authors tend to see their book in only one way. You’ve already questioned the hell out of every choice you’ve made during the outlining and drafting phase. You picked your work apart through a series of grueling self-edits that have left you drained of all enjoyment. (Not dramatic at all, right?)

Now comes the part you’ve been dreading. Reactions from others. Alpha readers will nitpick, they will question things you’ve answered a dozen times (to yourself), and they will always miss the brilliance you’ve hidden within your own flowery language.

It’s easy to defend your choices when criticized. But the truth is, you have locked in on one way of seeing your novel. Doing so, makes it easy to miss another vantage point.

Trust your Alpha Readers to pick up on faults in logic, in character shifts, or convoluted narration. Don’t immediately dismiss the opinions of others. (That can come later for the nitpicking…)

There is a reason certain details trip up readers. Listen to those around you. Hear what they’re saying. Be genuine in your understanding of their criticism, and that you will look into the area later. Fighting only pushes away the help you need to see something new in your manuscript. No one likes to see the flaws in their babies. That doesn’t mean they don’t exist.

How Alpha Readers can help their poor author friend

Alpha Readers need to understand something as well. While authors need the healthy criticism that comes in strengthening a book, they have also lived with their work for quite some time. That level of connection makes it difficult, to say the least, when it comes to hearing every little thing that is wrong with the book.

Throw some compliments at your author. Butter them up a little. Then squash their dreams by pointing out an obvious flaw in the narrative.

Did the story thrill you? Did you laugh, cry, or cringe with the characters? Was there a favorite scene, or line of dialogue?

This is what your author WANTS to hear. Yes, they NEED to hear the other stuff. It’s the only way to build a better story in the end, but no one wants to hear the bad all the time.

Authors, understand and trust your Alpha Readers. They are here to help you, even if they don’t get the brilliance of your story all the time.

Alpha Readers, understand and love your authors. They mean well, but don’t know how to exist in the real world for long stretches of time.

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